Wheel.



G. A. MENDBNH ALL.

WHEEL.

APPLICATION FILED 001. 2B, 1912.

1,120,5 14. Patented Dec. 8, 1914 3 SHEETBBHEET 1.

Bnnentors attorney- THE NORRIS PETERS C0. PHOmL/THQ. WASHINCION. u

G. A. MENDENHALL.

WHEEL.

APPLICATION FILED OUT. 28, 1912. 1 ,1 20,5 1 4;. Patented Dec. 8, 1914.

J 3 SHEETS-SHEET 2. 1 6, 53. 8 J jf :Z

Jnvcntors /7ar/es Mf/IJE/IA v//;

THE NORRIS PETERS CO.. FHO10 LITHO.. WASHING TON. 0 r

G. A. MENDBNHALL.

WHEEL.

APPLICATION FILED OCT. 28. 1912. 1, 120,5 14. Patented Dec. 8, 19m

3 SHBETBSHEET 3. 17 /a 1745 WITNESSES: INVENTOB W 9 By M TTORNE) THENORRIS PETERS c0 PHOTO-LIYHQ. WASHING TON o c ll ll STATES CHARLES A.MENDENHALL, OFJFARMLAND, INDIANA, ASSIGNOR 0F ONE-FIFTH. T0 WILLARD C.CLEVENG-ER, OFPARKER' CITY, INDIANA, AND ONE-FIFTH T0 GEORGE W. ULLOM,0F WINCHESTER, INDIANA.

WHEEL.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Dec. 8,1914.

Application filerl October 28, 1912. Serial No. 728,243.

To aZZ whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, CHARLES A. MENDEN- HALL, a citizen of the UnitedStates, residing at Farmland, in the county of Randolph and State ofIndiana, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in l/Vheels,of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to new and useful improvements in wheels forautomobiles or other vehicles.

The primary objects of my invention are as follows :First, to provide awheel which will be more simple, durable and economical inconstructionthan any of the wheels now in use. Second, to provide a formof wheel that will do away with the use of the pneumatic tire and at thesame time afford the same resiliency and easy riding, thus obviating theliability of punctures and blowouts. Third, to so construct the treadportion of the wheel that slipping or skidding is prevented, thusavoiding accidents and fourth to so construct the rims and tread surfaceof the wheel that it would be impossible for any dirt, mud, stones,etc., to lodge therein.

lVith the foregoing and other objects in view that will appear as thenature of the invention is better understood, the wheel consists in thenovel features of construction, combination and arrangement of partsillustrated in the drawings and more particularly pointed out in theappended claims.

In the accompanying drawings: Figure 1 is a side elevation of the wheelshowing a series of the resilient rings or tread members forming thetread surface or tire of the wheel in place. Fig. 2 is a transversesection on an enlarged scale showing how the rims are secured in' placeand how the wheel is built of two laterally spaced rings. Fig. 3 is asimilar view showing another method of securing the rings in place. Fig.4: is a side view of one of the rings used in' the preferred embodimentof the wheel. Fig. 5 is a similar view showing how the legs of thealternate rings are shortened for the purpose hereinafter specified.Fig. 6 is an edge view of Fig. 5. Fig. 7 is a similar view of anotherform of ring. Fig. 8 is a side view of Fig. 7. Fig. 9 is a side view ofanother form of ring showing how the tread surface is corrugated toprevent slipping or construction used with a solid rubber tire. 5

Fig. 13 is a detail sectional view showing how clips may be used toconnect the solid rubber tire with the rings. Fig. 14 is a verticalsectional view taken through the upper half of the wheel with the ringsremoved and the spoke holders in place. Fig. 15 is a detail perspectiveview of the preferred form of spoke holder and rim conview of a modifiedform of spoke holder.

In the embodiment illustrated, the wheel is constructed of a pair oflaterally spaced rims or rings 1 connected with the hub 2 by the spokes3. The rims are connected together and held in spaced relation-by thespoke holders and rim connectors 4 having the horizontal base portions 4and the angularly bent end portions 5 which fitbetween the oppositeinwardly divergingfaces of the rims 1 and are secured thereto by thebolts 6 or other equivalent means.

The spoke holders are arranged at the proper intervals around thecircumference of the wheels between the rims and are provided withsleeves 7 to receive the tenons of the spokes 3 above specified. Theinner faces of the base portions 4 of the spoke holders are beveledoutwardly, as more particularly indicated in Figs. 2, 3, 12 and g 14 ofthe drawings to prevent the accumu lation of any mud or foreignmatter.there on and have shoulders 7 which provide a bearing for theshoulders at the inner ends of the tenons of the spokes.

By the above construction, it will be ap parent that the rims are notonly held in properly spaced relation and securely connected togetherbut a holding and spacing means is also provided for the outer ends ofthe spokes, thereby rendering the frame of the wheel very strong anddurable and capable of withstanding a heavy load.

The tread surface of what may be termed the tire of the wheel is formedof a series nector and Fig. 16 is a detail perspective by of resilienttread members'or rings 8 which are spaced circumferentially around therims of the Wheel, said rings or tread mem- 'bers" being provided withthe leg portions 9 which fit against the beveled inner faces 10 of theruns, as more particularly shown 1n Figs. 2,.3 and 12 of the drawingswith the extreme ends'of said leg portions bent outwardly atappfoximately right angles to pass through corresponding transverseapertures 11 formed in the rims of the wheel. The outer ends of saidangularly bent por- 'tion may be threaded to receive the fastening nuts12 for securing the tread members to the rims, as shown in Fig. 2 of thedrawings or mayberiveted to the rims, as shown in the modificationillustrated in Fig. 3. Attentionis invited to the fact that 'thelegportions 9 of the tread members are alternately made of differentlengths to engage the apertures 11. For example, the

leg portions of one tread member or ring are made suficiently long topermit the Inthe preferred embodiment shown in Figs. 1 to 5 inclusive ofthe drawings, the tread portions of the tread members are made smooth,whereas, in the modification illustrated in Fig. 9 of the drawings, the

, tread portions are corrugated,'as at 13, to

- fastening means may be dispensed with and dove-tail form, as at 19.

i provide anti-skidding means.

. In the modification shown in Figs. 7 and 8, the tread members or ringsare provided with the oppositely disposed coils 14, for the purpose of,affording increased resiliency. Where a solid rubber tire 15 is used asthe tread of the wheel to make the wheel noiseless, the central portionsof the rings 8 are provided with the inwardly bent ap-- proximatelyU-shaped portions 16 to receive the tire. (See. Fig. 10.) The tread 15,(see Figs. 10 and 12) may be provided with, the inwardly extending clips17 which straddle "and are secured beneath the trans verse members 16 ofthe U-shaped portions and-provide a means for securely connecting therubber tread :15 with the rings 8. If desired, however, the abovementioned the central portions of the rings made in (See Fig. 11.) Incase it is desired to use a felly between the rims, the spoke holder isprovided with the ears 20 which extend circumferentially of the wheeland to which the felly is bolted or riveted.

In the operation of the device, theload is supported orisustainedby thetread portions 21 of the rings and as the rings are made of steel wirethey are ,sufliciently time have sutlicient resiliency to give theeffect had with a pneumatic tire.

It will be observed that the tread portions of the rings or treadmembers are of larger diameter tl an the leg portions thereof taperinggradually in size. from the centers of the rings, the purpose of whichwill be strong to sustain the load and at the same apparent. The rimsare made preferablyof.

steel to provide the greatest strength available and the inner facesthereof are beveled to facilitate the removal of any .dirt, rocks orother matter that may lodge between the rims. piece or in two or moresections bolted together. In this connection, however, it may be saidthat the construction ,-,of the wheel, as a whole, is such aswillprevent the accumulation of any foreign matter in any of the parts.7 The outer edges of the rims are notched around the circumferencethereof,

rings; which prevents any relative or bodily Each rim may be made inone; a

i as at. 25, to receive the portions 26 of the movement or displacementthereof after.

leaving the ground.

From the foregoing description taken in connection with the drawings, itis thought that the construction, operation and advantages of thisinvention will be readily .understood without requiring a more extendedexplanation. H

Various changes in the form, proportions and minor details ofconstruction will be resorted to without departing from the principlesor sacrificing'any of the advantages of this invention as definedv inthe appended claims.

Having described my inventionwhat I claim as new is 1. In a resilientwheel for vehicles the I combination with oppositely disposed annularrim members independently removable,of

spacing means located wellybelow the periphery of said rim members atintervals throughout the circumference of the wheel, and closelyassembled ring-like resilient members each secured to both of said rimmembers and having a tread portion extending transversely across thewheel structure.

combination with parallel annular rim members independently removablehaving inwardly diverging opposing faces, of spacing means located wellbelow the periphery of said rim members at intervals throughout thecircumference of the wheel, and

closely assembled ring-like resilient members each secured to both ofsaid rim 2. In a resilient wheel for. vehicles the members and having atread portion ex tending transversely across the wheel structure.

3. In a resilient wheel for vehicles the combination with parallelannular rim members independently removable, of individual connectorslocated well below the periphery of said rim members at intervalsthroughout the circumference of the wheel, and closely assembledring-like resilient members arranged alternately in two circumferentialseries the members of the several series being secured to both of saidrim members in concentric circles and each having a tread portionextending transversely across the wheel structure.

4. In a resilient Wheel for vehicles, the combination with parallelannular rim mem- In testimony whereof I aflix my signature 30 inpresence of two witnesses.

CHARLES A. MENDENHALL.

\Vitnesses:

D. W. GALL, J. P. DUFFIE.

Copies of this patent may he obtained for five cents each, by addressingthe Commissioner of Patents,

Washington, D. G.

